Funding & Acknowledgements

The data used in this analysis is from the Export Standardized Tables in the SEACAR Data Discovery Interface (DDI). Documents and information available through the SEACAR DDI are owned by the data provider(s) and users are expected to provide appropriate credit following accepted citation formats. Users are encouraged to access data to maximize utilization of gained knowledge, reducing redundant research and facilitating partnerships and scientific innovation.

With respect to documents and information available from SEACAR DDI, neither the State of Florida nor the Florida Department of Environmental Protection makes any warranty, expressed or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use or inability to use the data, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.

This report was funded in part, through a grant agreement from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Coastal Management Program, by a grant provided by the Office for Coastal Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The views, statements, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the State of Florida, NOAA or any of their sub agencies.

Published: 2025-05-22

Threshold Filtering

Threshold filters, following the guidance of Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) are used to exclude specific results values from the SEACAR Analysis. Based on the threshold filters, Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) Flags are inserted into the SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode and SEACAR_QAQC_Description columns of the export data. The Include column indicates whether the QAQC Flag will also indicate that data are excluded from analysis. No data are excluded from the data export, but the analysis scripts can use the Include column to exclude data (1 to include, 0 to exclude).

Continuous Water Quality threshold values
Parameter Name Units Low Threshold High Threshold
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L -0.000001 50
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % -0.000001 500
Salinity ppt -0.000001 70
Turbidity NTU -0.000001 4000
Water Temperature Degrees C -5.000000 45
pH None 2.000000 14
Discrete Water Quality threshold values
Parameter Name Units Low Threshold High Threshold
Ammonia, Un-ionized (NH3) mg/L - -
Ammonium, Filtered (NH4) mg/L - -
Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin ug/L - -
Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin ug/L - -
Colored Dissolved Organic Matter PCU - -
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L -0.000001 25
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % -0.000001 310
Fluorescent Dissolved Organic Matter QSE - -
Light Extinction Coefficient m^-1 - -
NO2+3, Filtered mg/L - -
Nitrate (NO3) mg/L - -
Nitrite (NO2) mg/L - -
Nitrogen, organic mg/L - -
Phosphate, Filtered (PO4) mg/L - -
Salinity ppt -0.000001 70
Secchi Depth m 0.000001 50
Specific Conductivity mS/cm 0.005000 100
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen mg/L - -
Total Nitrogen mg/L - -
Total Nitrogen mg/L - -
Total Phosphorus mg/L - -
Total Suspended Solids mg/L - -
Turbidity NTU - -
Water Temperature Degrees C 3.000000 40
pH None 2.000000 13
Quality Assurance Flags inserted based on threshold checks listed in Table 1 and 2
SEACAR QAQC Description Include SEACAR QAQCFlagCode
Exceeds maximum threshold 0 2Q
Below minimum threshold 0 4Q
Within threshold tolerance 1 6Q
No defined thresholds for this parameter 1 7Q

Value Qualifiers

Value qualifier codes included within the data are used to exclude certain results from the analysis. The data are retained in the data export files, but the analysis uses the Include column to filter the results.

STORET and WIN value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from STORET and WIN data are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports.

Value Qualifier codes excluded from analysis
Qualifier Source Value Qualifier Include MDL Description
STORET-WIN H 0 0 Value based on field kit determination; results may not be accurate
STORET-WIN J 0 0 Estimated value
STORET-WIN V 0 0 Analyte was detected at or above method detection limit
STORET-WIN Y 0 0

Discrete Water Quality Value Qualifiers

The following value qualifiers are highlighted in the Discrete Water Quality section of this report. An exception is made for Program 476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network and data flagged with Value Qualifier H are included for this program only.

H - Value based on field kit determiniation; results may not be accurate. This code shall be used if a field screening test (e.g., field gas chromatograph data, immunoassay, or vendor-supplied field kit) was used to generate the value and the field kit or method has not been recognized by the Department as equivalent to laboratory methods.

I - The reported value is greater than or equal to the laboratory method detection limit but less than the laboratory practical quantitation limit.

Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time. This code shall be used if the value is derived from a sample that was prepared or analyzed after the approved holding time restrictions for sample preparation or analysis.

S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody. The value reported is the depth of the waterbody at the location of the Secchi disk measurement.

U - Indicates that the compound was analyzed for but not detected. This symbol shall be used to indicate that the specified component was not detected. The value associated with the qualifier shall be the laboratory method detection limit. Unless requested by the client, less than the method detection limit values shall not be reported

Systemwide Monitoring Program (SWMP) value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from the SWMP continuous program are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports. SWMP Qualifier Codes are indicated by QualifierSource=SWMP.

SWMP Value Qualifier codes
Qualifier Source Value Qualifier Include Description
SWMP -1 1 Optional parameter not collected
SWMP -2 0 Missing data
SWMP -3 0 Data rejected due to QA/QC
SWMP -4 0 Outside low sensor range
SWMP -5 0 Outside high sensor range
SWMP 0 1 Passed initial QA/QC checks
SWMP 1 0 Suspect data
SWMP 2 1 Reserved for future use
SWMP 3 1
SWMP 4 1 Historical: Pre-auto QA/QC
SWMP 5 1 Corrected data

Water Column

The water column habitat extends from the water’s surface to the bottom sediments, and it’s where fish, dolphins, crabs and people swim! So much life makes its home in the water column that the health of marine and coastal ecosystems, as well as human economies, depend on the condition of this vulnerable habitat. Local patterns of rainfall, temperature, winds and currents can rapidly change the condition of the water column, while global influences such as El Niño/La Niña, large-scale fluctuation in sea temperatures and climate change can have long-term effects. Inputs from the prosperity of our day-to-day lives including farming, mining and forestry, and emissions from power generation, automobiles and water treatment can also alter the health of the water column. Acting alone or together, each input can have complex and lasting effects on habitats and ecosystems.


SEACAR evaluates water column health with several essential parameters. These include nutrient surveys of nitrogen and phosphorus, and water quality assessments of salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and water temperature. Water clarity is evaluated with Secchi depth, turbidity, levels of chlorophyll a, total suspended solids, and colored dissolved organic matter. Additionally, the richness of nekton is indicated by the abundance of free-swimming fishes and macroinvertebrates like crabs and shrimps.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Analysis

Indicators must have a minimum of five to ten years, depending on the habitat, of data within the geographic range of the analysis to be included in the analysis. Ten years of data are required for discrete parameters, and five years of data are required for continuous parameters. If there are insufficient years of data, the number of years of data available will be noted and labeled as “insufficient data to conduct analysis”. Further, for the preferred Seasonal Kendall-Tau test, there must be data from at least two months in common across at least two consecutive years within the RCP managed area being analyzed. Values that pass both of these tests will be included in the analysis and be labeled as Use_In_Analysis = TRUE. Any that fail either test will be excluded from the analyses and labeled as Use_In_Analysis = FALSE. The points for all Water Column plots displayed in this section are monthly averages. Trend significance will be denoted as “Significant Trend” (when p < 0.05), or “Non-significant Trend” (when p >= 0.05). Any parameters with insufficient data to perform Seasonal Kendall-Tau test will have their monthly averages plotted without a corresponding trend line.

Water Quality - Discrete

The following files were used in the discrete analysis:

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_corrected_for_pheophytin-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_uncorrected_for_pheophytin-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Colored_dissolved_organic_matter_CDOM-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_pH-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Salinity-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Secchi_Depth-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Nitrogen-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Phosphorus-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Suspended_Solids_TSS-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Turbidity-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Water_Temperature-2025-Mar-06.txt

Dissolved Oxygen - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average dissolved oxygen over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only dissolved oxygen values measured in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average dissolved oxygen over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only dissolved oxygen values measured in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Dissolved Oxygen
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Field No significant trend 742 20 1970 - 2023 6.49 0.0958 6.1046 0.01 0.3066

Dissolved oxygen showed no detectable trend between 1970 and 2023.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 805 1996 2023
5058 266 2009 2011
3001 98 1999 2003
95 71 1972 2018
103 14 1970 1970
118 14 2015 2020
69 2 1998 1998

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program1
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network2
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX3
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment4
3001 - Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center)5
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN6
5058 - Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) Water Quality Monitoring Report7

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average dissolved oxygen saturation over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only dissolved oxygen saturation values measured in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average dissolved oxygen saturation over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only dissolved oxygen saturation values measured in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Field Significantly increasing trend 378 13 1995 - 2023 97.85 0.3286 47.077 1.0009 0.0019

Monthly average dissolved oxygen saturation increased by 1% per year.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 277 1996 2023
3001 98 1999 2003
102 2 1995 1995
95 1 2016 2016

Program names:

95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network2
102 - National Status and Trends Mussel Watch8
3001 - Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center)5
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN6

pH - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average pH over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only pH values measured in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average pH over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only pH values measured in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for pH
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Field No significant trend 172 10 1972 - 2023 8.2 0.0833 7.6392 0.0016 0.9124

pH showed no detectable trend between 1972 and 2023.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for pH
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
3001 103 1999 2003
95 65 1972 1972
69 4 1998 2019
5002 2 2011 2023

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program1
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network2
3001 - Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center)5
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN6

Salinity - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average salinity over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines are also shown. Discrete salinity values derived from grab samples analyzed in the field (circles) or the laboratory (triangles) are both included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average salinity over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines are also shown. Discrete salinity values derived from grab samples analyzed in the field (circles) or the laboratory (triangles) are both included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Salinity
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
All Significantly increasing trend 908 30 1972 - 2023 35.5 0.1761 31.721 0.0631 0.0138

Monthly average salinity increased by 0.06 ppt per year.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Salinity
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 922 1996 2023
5058 266 2009 2011
95 230 1972 2018
3001 102 1999 2003
118 23 2015 2020
69 10 1997 2019
102 2 1995 1995

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program1
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network2
102 - National Status and Trends Mussel Watch8
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment4
3001 - Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center)5
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN6
5058 - Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) Water Quality Monitoring Report7

Secchi Depth - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average Secchi depth over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Secchi depth is only measured in the field (circles).
Scatter plot of monthly average Secchi depth over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Secchi depth is only measured in the field (circles).
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Secchi Depth
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Field Significantly decreasing trend 8962 15 1997 - 2024 -6.1 -0.2976 -0.7336 -0.2575 0

Monthly average Secchi depth became deeper by 0.26 m per year, indicating an increase in water clarity.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Secchi Depth
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5033 7903 2017 2024
103 961 2020 2021
3001 99 1999 2003
69 10 1997 2019
5002 1 2023 2023

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program1
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX3
3001 - Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center)5
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN6
5033 - Southeast Florida Water Quality Assessment Survey9

Total Phosphorus - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average total phosphorus over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only phosphorus values obtained from laboratory analyses (triangles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average total phosphorus over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only phosphorus values obtained from laboratory analyses (triangles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Total Phosphorus
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Lab Significantly decreasing trend 17322 14 2009 - 2024 0.014 -0.294 0.0216 -0.0007 0.0034

Monthly average total phosphorus decreased by less than 0.01 mg/L per year.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Total Phosphorus
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5033 15486 2017 2024
103 1846 2020 2021
5002 665 2013 2023
5058 268 2009 2011

Program names:

103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX3
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN6
5033 - Southeast Florida Water Quality Assessment Survey9
5058 - Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) Water Quality Monitoring Report7

Turbidity - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average turbidity over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only turbidity values measured in the laboratory (triangles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average turbidity over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only turbidity values measured in the laboratory (triangles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Turbidity
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Lab Insufficient data to calculate trend 15580 9 2011 - 2024 0.3 - - - -

There was insufficient data to fit a model for turbidity.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Turbidity
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5033 15603 2017 2024
103 1846 2020 2021
5058 264 2009 2011
5002 210 2011 2023

Program names:

103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX3
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN6
5033 - Southeast Florida Water Quality Assessment Survey9
5058 - Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) Water Quality Monitoring Report7

Water Temperature - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average water temperature over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only water temperature measurements taken in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average water temperature over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only water temperature measurements taken in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Water Temperature
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Field Significantly increasing trend 1580 30 1970 - 2023 26.5824 0.2894 24.8491 0.0718 0

Monthly average water temperature increased by 0.07°C per year.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Water Temperature
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 926 1996 2023
5058 266 2009 2011
95 258 1972 2018
3001 104 1999 2003
103 17 1970 1970
69 10 1997 2019
102 2 1995 1995

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program1
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network2
102 - National Status and Trends Mussel Watch8
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX3
3001 - Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center)5
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN6
5058 - Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) Water Quality Monitoring Report7

Water Quality - Continuous

The following files were used in the continuous analysis:

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_SE-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation_SE-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_pH_SE-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Salinity_SE-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Turbidity_SE-2025-Mar-06.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Water_Temperature_SE-2025-Mar-06.txt

Continuous monitoring locations in Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve

Station overview for Continuous parameters by Program
ProgramID ProgramLocationID Years of Data Use in Analysis Parameters
5 LKWF1 41 TRUE TempW
986 1 10 TRUE TempW
986 2 10 TRUE TempW
986 3 10 TRUE TempW
986 4 10 TRUE TempW
986 5 10 TRUE TempW
986 6 10 TRUE TempW
986 84 16 TRUE TempW
986 85 16 TRUE TempW
986 86 16 TRUE TempW
986 87 16 TRUE TempW
986 88 16 TRUE TempW
986 89 16 TRUE TempW
986 90 16 TRUE TempW
986 91 16 TRUE TempW
986 92 16 TRUE TempW
986 93 16 TRUE TempW
986 94 16 TRUE TempW
986 95 16 TRUE TempW
986 96 6 TRUE TempW
986 97 13 TRUE TempW
986 98 13 TRUE TempW

Program names:

5 - National Data Buoy Center10
986 - Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys11

Map showing continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. Sites marked as Use In Analysis (green) are featured in this report.
Map showing continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. Sites marked as Use In Analysis (green) are featured in this report.

Water Temperature - Continuous - Program 5

Scatter plot of monthly average water temperature over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Scatter plot of monthly average water temperature over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for Water Temperature - Program 5
Station Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
LKWF1 Significantly increasing trend 1268849 36 1984 - 2024 26.5 0.42 25.66 0.03 0

At nineteen program locations, monthly average water temperature increased between 0.03 and 0.09°C per year. No detectable change in monthly average water temperature was observed at three locations.

Water Temperature - Continuous - Program 986

Scatter plot of monthly average water temperature over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Scatter plot of monthly average water temperature over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for Water Temperature - Program 986
Station Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
94 Significantly increasing trend 90265 16 2007 - 2022 25.55 0.28 24.89 0.06 0.00
87 Significantly increasing trend 108339 16 2007 - 2022 26.44 0.31 25.99 0.06 0.00
85 Significantly increasing trend 114214 16 2007 - 2022 26.26 0.34 25.99 0.07 0.00
1 No significant trend 65108 10 2013 - 2022 26.40 0.13 26.72 0.04 0.12
2 Significantly increasing trend 64486 10 2013 - 2022 26.72 0.26 26.73 0.05 0.00
90 Significantly increasing trend 97006 16 2007 - 2022 26.43 0.33 25.91 0.06 0.00
88 Significantly increasing trend 115305 16 2007 - 2022 26.35 0.34 26.08 0.06 0.00
95 Significantly increasing trend 102279 16 2007 - 2022 25.58 0.30 24.87 0.07 0.00
84 Significantly increasing trend 111153 16 2007 - 2022 26.32 0.36 25.94 0.07 0.00
93 Significantly increasing trend 106903 16 2007 - 2022 26.47 0.35 26.12 0.06 0.00
89 Significantly increasing trend 113809 16 2007 - 2022 26.28 0.35 26.08 0.07 0.00
5 Significantly increasing trend 51977 10 2013 - 2022 26.62 0.21 26.46 0.05 0.01
97 Significantly increasing trend 97533 13 2010 - 2022 26.45 0.38 26.21 0.08 0.00
92 Significantly increasing trend 111826 16 2007 - 2022 26.45 0.37 25.96 0.07 0.00
86 Significantly increasing trend 104767 16 2007 - 2022 26.16 0.36 25.78 0.07 0.00
91 Significantly increasing trend 102406 16 2007 - 2022 26.54 0.33 26.01 0.07 0.00
3 Significantly increasing trend 60887 10 2013 - 2022 26.65 0.25 26.54 0.06 0.00
4 Significantly increasing trend 68937 10 2013 - 2022 26.59 0.17 26.46 0.04 0.03
98 Significantly increasing trend 87973 13 2010 - 2022 26.40 0.39 26.21 0.09 0.00
96 No significant trend 25550 6 2007 - 2012 24.87 -0.25 24.98 -0.23 0.08
6 No significant trend 63582 10 2013 - 2022 26.77 0.09 26.42 0.03 0.26

At nineteen program locations, monthly average water temperature increased between 0.03 and 0.09°C per year. No detectable change in monthly average water temperature was observed at three locations.

Map showing location of water temperature continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of water temperature continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.

Coral Reef

The data file used is: All_CORAL_Parameters-2025-Mar-06.txt

Percent Cover

Scatter plot of live coral coverage over time as a percent of reef surface. Species groups include octocorals, milleporans, and scleractinians. If the time series included five or more years of observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Data points are jittered horizontally to reduce overlap.
Scatter plot of live coral coverage over time as a percent of reef surface. Species groups include octocorals, milleporans, and scleractinians. If the time series included five or more years of observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Data points are jittered horizontally to reduce overlap.
Coral Percent Cover
Statistical Trend Period of Record LME Intercept LME Slope p
Significantly increasing trend 2003 - 2021 -5.52423 0.00276 0.00002

Annual average percent cover increased by less than 0.01%.

Map showing location of coral percent cover sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of coral percent cover sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.

Species Richness

Line graph of annual average species richness of grazers and reef-dependent species over time. If the time series included more than one year of observations, a line connects the data points for visualization.
Line graph of annual average species richness of grazers and reef-dependent species over time. If the time series included more than one year of observations, a line connects the data points for visualization.
Coral Species Richness
Sample Count Number of Years Period of Record Median N of Taxa Mean N of Taxa
3686 26 1985 - 2020 294 193.8752

The median annual number of taxa was 294 based on 3,686 observations collected between 1985 and 2020.

Map showing location of coral species richness sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of coral species richness sampling locations within the boundaries of Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.

References

1.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program. (2022).
2.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC); Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network. (2018).
3.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX. (2023).
4.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Office of Water; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); National Estuary Program (NEP); coastal states. National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment. (2021).
5.
Volusia County (Florida); Marine Discovery Center. Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center). (2023).
6.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Florida STORET / WIN. (2024).
7.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (RCP); Coral Reef Conservation Program. Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) Water Quality Monitoring Report. (2011).
8.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment. National Status and Trends Mussel Watch. (2000).
9.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (RCP); Coral Reef Conservation Program. Southeast Florida Water Quality Assessment Survey . (2024).
10.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); National Data Buoy Center. National Data Buoy Center. (2024).
11.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision (FWC); Florida Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys. (2022).